The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Presented by the Online Stage
Many scholars consider The Tempest, which was probably composed between 1610 and 1611, to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote without a collaborator.
Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, has been deposed by his scheming brother, Antonio, with the help of Alonso, the King of Naples. In exile on a remote and mysterious island, Prospero becomes a powerful magician. Aided by a spirit, Ariel, who he has released from captivity, he becomes the effective ruler of the island. A storm forces a ship carrying Antonio, Alonso and members of their courts runs aground on the island, and his former enemies are now completely in Prospero’s power.
As in another late Shakespeare play, The Winter’s Tale, the plot explores the sequence of misdeed, repentance and reconciliation. On a deeper level, it is an investigation of the very nature of subjective reality, the dream which is the inevitable artefact of the individual consciousness.
Cast
Prospero - John Burlinson
Miranda - K.G.Cross
Ariel - Elizabeth Klett
Caliban - Peter Tucker
Ferdinand - Andrew Coleman
Alonso - Ron Altman
Antonio - Bob Neufeld
Sebastian - Daniel Vimont
Gonzalo - Brett Downey
Trinculo - Alan Weyman
Stephano - Ben Lindsey-Clark
Iris - PJ Morgan
Ceres - Amanda Friday
Juno - Becca Maggie
Master, Francisco and Mariners - Marty Kris
Boatswain and Adrian - Norman Elfer
Stage directions read by Denis Daly
Audio edited by Denis Daly
Cover design by Denis Daly
The script for this recording was kindly provided by Folger Digital Texts.
Music
Act 4
Excerpts from Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No.1 by Ottorino Respighi
Movement 2. Gagliarda and
Movement 3. Villanella
Performed by the United States Marine Band
Recording released by Musopen.org
This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as the Online Stage is credited as the author. It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.
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